David DePape, the intruder accused of striking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in the head with a hammer, has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
The indictment’s allegations match those in the charges filed against DePape on Oct. 31 by the Justice Department — attempted kidnapping of a U.S. official and assault of an immediate family member of a U.S. official in retaliation for performing her duties.
The U.S. attorney’s office in San Francisco announced the indictment Wednesday, the week after DePape pleaded not guilty in state court to charges filed by San Francisco’s district attorney that include attempted murder, residential burglary and false imprisonment of an elder. DePape faces decades in prison in both cases if convicted.
Police say DePape broke into Pelosi’s home early on Oct. 28, aiming to take her hostage. She was in Washington, D.C., at the time. DePape allegedly attacked her husband, Paul, after a verbal confrontation and a struggle.
Felony prosecutions are often launched with complaints backed by statements made under oath by law enforcement officials and then replaced by indictments, in which a citizen jury presented with evidence by prosecutors votes on whether charges should be filed.
The state case is People of the State of California v. DePape, 22012966, California Superior Court, San Francisco County (San Francisco). The federal case is USA v. DePape, 22-mj-71419, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).
